Neil James Stout

Of Springfield, VA, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 18, 2015. He was a longtime resident of Springfield, VA but his heart belonged to New York State. Father of Randy Stout of Ft. Collins, CO and Dale Stout of Great Falls, VA; grandfather of Jeffrey Stout and Abbie Stout, and great-grandfather of Ezekiel Arijon Stout. Survived by brothers Gary and Galen and sister Lorna, many nieces, nephews, loving friends and neighbors.

Born July 16, 1921 in Hallsport, NY. Graduated from the College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry at Syracuse University in 1942, later earning a Master’s Degree in 1958. While living in Lowville, NY, met his future wife, Alice Gallup Stout and they were married in 1949. Was the Executive Director of the Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources for New York State from 1959 to 1963. Moved to Springfield, VA in 1964 when recruited away from New York by the US Department of Interior/Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, where he worked until his retirement in 1987. He was one the US’s representatives to the XVI World Congress of the International Union of Forestry Research Organization in 1976. He served on various community-related outdoor, trails and environmental quality organizations while living in Springfield. In his spare time he enjoyed hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, target-shooting, wilderness exploration, gardening and reading. He had a very kind heart and quick wit and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A funeral service will be held at Demaine Funeral Home, Springfield, VA on Sunday, September 27 at 10:00 am. Visitation will begin prior to the funeral at 9:30 am. The family will be there to greet relatives and friends.

Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York (www.wildcenter.org/waystogive).